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Journal of Visual Languages and Computing
Special Issue on Semiotics, Human-Computer Interaction and End-User Development
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Over the last three decades, semiotics has inspired a number of researchers interested in the design of interactive languages and interactive systems. The hallmark of semiotic approaches to computing is to view computers as a medium for signs, their transformation and their use in communication. This also applies for the programming of computers by both ICT experts and domain experts. One of the main attractions to explore computers and Human-Computer Interaction from a semiotic perspective is that many semiotic approaches allow accounting for both the design of user interfaces and the design of End-User Development (EUD) environments and languages with the same set of concepts, frameworks or methods.
As the diversity of interface modalities and media has increased and enabled sophisticated multimodal multimedia communication between users and systems, semiotics is gaining more attention by human-computer interaction researchers and professionals. The role of ICT in contemporary societies - no matter how diverse their cultural background is - calls for technologies that users can reinterpret and adapt easily in relation to a rapid change of the use context often provoked by the technology itself. The stage is thus set for semiotics to make relevant contributions to the move from ‘easy to use’ to ‘easy to develop’.

The aim of the special issue is to collect current research to semiotic approaches to HCI and especially to EUD, providing a reference point for current and future researchers interested in relating semiotics with HCI and EUD.

We invite articles that discuss what Semiotics has, can and might contribute to the field of HCI and End User Development. The following list of topics serves as an indication for relevant themes:
• The Need for Semiotic studies
o Semiotic Models, Methods, and Frameworks for HCI and EUD
o Semiotics and Cultures of participation
o Semiotics in Empirical studies of EUD practices
o Semiotic and user (re)appropriation of software in context
• Supporting Evolution through Semiotics
o Semiotics informing EUD language and interactive systems design.
o Mashups and Web remix technologies
o Semiotics in the Design of Interactive Languages
o Abductive reasoning support for EUD
o Support for EUD-related collaboration among non-professional programmers
• Critique and Commentary
o Semiotic theories and HCI
o Semiotic theories and EUD
o Semiotically-informed frameworks, methods and techniques for interactive systems design and EUD
• Surveys
o Semiotics and Visual Languages
o Semiotics and User Interface Languages
o Semiotics and Interaction Languages

The number of accepted papers will be between three and ten. If the number falls below three, there will be no special issue and the accepted papers will be published as regular papers. Submitted manuscripts must not have appeared or been under review elsewhere. All submitted manuscripts will be reviewed by at least three reviewers in accordance with the refereeing procedure of Journal of Visual Languages and Computing.

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SUBMISSIONS
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We solicit submission of papers consisting of original research and surveys.
Formatting guidelines can be found on the JVLC webpage:
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/622907/authorinstructions

Submissions should be sent by email to both guest editorns (ydi@itu.dk, antonio.piccinno@uniba.it) with subject containing “[JVLC special issue submission]”.

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IMPORTANT DATES
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Abstract submission Dec 20, 2015
Paper submission: Jan 30, 2016
Revision/rejection notification: March 30, 2016
Revised paper due: June 30, 2016
Acceptance notification: Sept 15, 2016
Final Manuscript Due: Nov 30, 2016
Publication: April, 2017

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GUEST EDITORS
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Yvonne Dittrich, IT University of Copenhagen, ydi@itu.dk
Dr. Yvonne Dittrich has been applying semiotic theories in the context of design and use of computer applications as early as 1997. She has been part of the European Network of Excellence in End User Development 2000 – 2002. Her research connects EUD, Participatory Design and Software Engineering. She holds an associate professorship at the IT University of Copenhagen, known for inter- and cross disciplinary research on IT.

Antonio Piccinno, University of Bari, antonio.piccinno@uniba.it
Dr. Antonio Piccinno is assistant Professor at the Computer Science Department of University of Bari "Aldo Moro". He is member of the Interaction, Visualization, Usability (IVU) Lab. Since 2001, he has been involved in End-User Development and related topics. He has also been part of the European Network of Excellence in End-User Development 2000 – 2002. His research interests are in Human-Computer Interaction, particularly on End-User Development, Visual Interactive Systems, Theory of Visual Languages, Adaptive Interfaces, Component-Based Software Development, Multi-modal and Multimedia Interaction.